What is Tungsten?

About Tungsten:

• Tungsten is a chemical element with the symbol W, and atomic number 74.
• Classified as a transition metal, Tungsten is a solid at room temperature.
• It is a naturally occurring element. It occurs in rocks and minerals combined with other chemicals, but never as a pure metal. It is found in nature in mineral forms like wolframite and scheelite.
• Elemental tungsten is a white to steel gray metal (depending on the purity) that can be used in pure form or mixed with other metals to make alloys. 
• Features:
  • One of the densest metals, with a density of 19.3 g/cc
  • Highest melting point of all metals at 3410 °C
  • Lowest vapor pressure of all metals with 4.27 Pa at 3410 °C
  • Highest tensile strength of all metals over 1650 °C
• Uses:
  • Tungsten alloys tend to be strong and flexible, resist wear, and conduct electricity well.
  • Tungsten is used in products such as x-ray tubes, light bulbs, high-speed tools, welding electrodes, turbine blades, golf clubs, darts, fishing weights, gyroscope wheels, phonograph needles, bullets, and armor penetrators.
  • It is also used as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.
  • Chemical compounds of tungsten are used for many purposes.
  • Cemented tungsten carbide is a hard substance used to make grinding wheels and cutting or forming tools.
  • Other tungsten compounds are used in ceramic pigments, as fire retardant coatings for fabrics, and as color-resistant dyes for fabrics.
• Major producers: China (dominates global production), Vietnam, Russia, and North Korea.
• It has been classified as a Critical Mineral by the Government of India.

Q1: What are critical minerals?

A mineral is critical when the risk of supply shortage and associated impact on the economy is (relatively) higher than other raw materials. These minerals are essential for economic development and national security, and their lack of availability/ the concentration of extraction/ processing in a few geographical locations could potentially lead to supply chain vulnerabilities.

Source: Cancel tungsten mining in TN district, Stalin urges Modi